Former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, ESPN reports.
According to ESPN, Reid has hired Mark Geragos as his lawyer, who also represented Colin Kaepernick for his collusion grievance.
Reid, alongside Colin Kaepernick, knelt during the Star-Spangled Banner during the 2016 season to protest racial inequality. He was the first person to join Kaepernick as they were teammates on the 49ers. During this past season, without Kaepernick in the league, he took on what could be described as a leadership role in the protests.
Source: Former 49ers safety Eric Reid has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL. Reid’s attorney is Mark Geragos, who’s also represented Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/8MaBD0cC0k
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) May 2, 2018
Reid became a free agent at the end of the season and there has been little interest from teams around the league. In fact, he’s only met with one team.
Last month, he did meet with the Cincinnati Bengals. During the interview with the team, owner Mike Brown explicitly asked Reid if he planned on continuing to kneel and Brown said he planned on banning it. (RELATED: Bengals Decide Not To Offer Contract To Anthem Kneeler Who Did Not Commit To Standing
Brown wanted a clear verbal confirmation that Reid would not continue kneeling during the anthem.
Reid, a 2013 first-round pick, has been a top tier safety during his first five seasons in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl during his rookie season. Reid finished last season with 67 tackles and two interceptions.
Eric Reid’s brother Justin, who’s also a safety, was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.